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Sunday, August 15, 2010

Rocks - Chunky Oatmeal Cookies with Walnuts and Cranberries

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...The only "rocks" that are better than these are diamonds. I know I confound people when I direct them to the sites of test kitchens operated by food manufacturers. Lots of us think that a recipe that appears on the back of a box is something that doesn't deserve a second glance. I suspect we forget the time, effort and repeated experiments that have led to its publication by the manufacturer. I found this recipe on the Diamond Nuts website and once I tried them they replaced what had been my favorite oatmeal cookie. My family loves them as well and they have become permanent residents in my cookie jar. We joke that they are never-stale cookies. They just don't last long enough for that to happen. I think you like them too. Here's the recipe for a new take on a favorite old-fashioned cookie.

Directions:1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To toast walnuts, spread evenly on a baking sheet or in a shallow pan. Bake, stirring once or twice, until lightly browned and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. Coarsely chop and set aside.2) In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and oats; add to sugar mixture and stir well to combine. Stir in dried cranberries and toasted walnuts.3) Drop cookie dough by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: 36 cookies.

55 comments
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Many moons ago I worked at Castle and Cooke Foods (Dole Pineapple) in the adjacent marketing department and I know all the testing that goes into the recipes manufacturers put on their products. In fact I got their subscriptions to Bon Appetit after they'd finished with them and that started me on more adventures in cooking. Thanks for another great recipe, I love cranberries and nuts and double bonus is they're good for you too.

Oh how timely! I just happened to have been tasting some fantastic oatmeal cookies from Coach's Oats with these ingredients and wondered how to incorporate them into my favorite oatmeal cookie!! These flavors really are addictive-ly perfect together. I for one love "back of the bag/box" recipes - I think a lot of people just forget to look!

A great and homley creation Mary. I think that 'oat' style cookies are my favourite. They've got this real vintage, rustic feel to them..I think it's the texture and the spices and that the add ins (such as your cranberry suggestion) can also be adapted.

Mary...these cookies for me do have a better appeal than diamonds...and I know most would think I'm crazy! Many years ago I had asked my Hubby to forgo the typical engagement ring for a juicy deposit on our first home. Best decision we ever made...and many blissful happy years together.

I agree about the box recipes...the ones I've tried were usually succesful. Now I'll have to give these cookies a go too ;0)

Mary,Thank you for another great recipe. I love the nuts and cranberries together. Also, I would like to thank you as I am the great web searcher. Meaning I love going to the websites of brand name foods and even the appliance manufacturer's sites to find new recipes. I guess you could say I am from the old school of back of the box cooks too.

Oh, man, do they look good! Crispy on the outside and soft inside, I bet! I have always loved trying recipes on the back of boxes, cans and jars. You know they have to be good because they want you to come back and keep buying!

I often cook using the recipes "on the other side" of the box....and you are right, the outcome is terrific. Your cookies look ready to enjoy! too sad I cannot have them at this time- can they invent something like virtual tasting:)

I always love looking on the back of bags or boxes for recipes. You never know when you will find a gem of a recipe like this one. Oatmeal cookies are a favorite of mine. I just love the chewier texture the oats give the cookie. Never tried them with cranberries before, but the tartness would be fantastic!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies have always been a staple in my cookie jar, also! About 8 years ago we purchased this variety at a rest stop while traveling. It also contained Craisins. From that day on I've always added Craisins + Raisins in our Oatmeal Cookies. My fam enjoys them better than Chocolate Chip cookies.

I am definitely one of the people that overlooks "back of the box" recipes. I think I am going to have to get over that because these look delicious! I just bought a bag of blueberry-flavored Craisins that are amaaaazing and I think would be great in these cookies!

These cookies look great- I'd much rather have cranberries than raisins in my oatmeal cookies, and nuts are a must! I do pay attention to the recipes on the backs of packages- they're usually pretty good. Thanks for sharing this recipe- cookies are very popular here!

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